Will LeBeau Be LeBeau?
September 13th, 2015
Wiley Titans DC Dick LeBeau.
Yes, the NFL baptism today of America’s Quarterback, Bucs signal-caller Jameis Winston, will be a memorable one for the pride of Bessemer, Ala.
The thrill of finally reaching his dream will come true, and a savvy defensive sage across the field will do his best to see that this dream is a complete nightmare for young Jameis.
Longtime defensive coordinator wizard Dick LeBeau stands in the way of Jameis and victory. LeBeau, a Hall of Fame defensive back who made his NFL debut with the Lions 55 years ago, is known for the most elaborate, exotic blitzes known to man. If he didn’t invent the zone blitz, then he sure as hell perfected it.
Even veteran NFL quarterbacks are flummoxed by LeBeau. He usually has rookies for lunch. However, Joe wonders if this may be a bit overblown today.
LeBeau largely built his coaching resumé with the Steelers. There, he had Troy Polamalu, James Harrison, Lawrence Timmons, Casey Hampton, Ryan Clark and so many other studs. With the Titans, LeBeau basically has squat.
So Joe thought that without that talent at LeBeau’s disposal, might he not be as daring as he has been in the past with excellent players?
Woody Cummings of the Tampa Tribune had the same thought and asked Bucs offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter if LeBeau might tone down his aggressive ways because of the (lack of) talent he has available.
Koetter believes the old dog LeBeau won’t be learning new tricks.
“Yeah, this is the NFL,” Koetter said. “Everyone has talent. Everybody has good players. The different between one and 32 in the NFL is not that much.”
Well, Joe isn’t buying that answer whole. There is a reason why the Titans finished tied with the Bucs for the worst record in the NFL. The roster of the Titans may have talent, but making an NFL roster and being one of the best players in the game is night and day.
Shoot, Myron Lewis made an NFL roster, too. He sure as hell wasn’t Darrelle Revis.
Just remember, Bucs fans, the quarterback of the past and the quarterback of the future but not the quarterback of the present, Mike Glennon, making his 14th career start, beat LeBeau’s defense on the road last year in Pittsburgh, without stud receiver Mike Evans late in the game.
September 13th, 2015 at 12:07 pm
Protect #3.
September 13th, 2015 at 12:12 pm
A dick will be a dick…….
:0-
September 13th, 2015 at 12:12 pm
Good olé Dicks defense is outdated.
September 13th, 2015 at 12:16 pm
I will be there today, fearing the worst. When Jameis is on the field the Titans will blitz relentlessly, knowing a rookie QB will make mistakes, those mistakes amplified by a weak O-line. On the other side the Bucs will play cover 2, bend but not break, and will give Mariota plenty of time in the backfield to avoid making a mistake. And when his receivers are covered, Mariota will run for a half dozen or so yards, and slide to safety.
Why, oh why, did the Bucs not understand that a rookie QB needs a first class O-line to protect him, and not a line with two rookies. Were I GM I would have paid top dollar for a veteran lineman, and added in Glennon to get my guy. This game will likely be decided by special teams and a turnover or two. Hopefully, we will be the better in those areas.
September 13th, 2015 at 12:18 pm
Hopefully the Titans take as long learning the LeBeau defense as the Bucs have taken to learn the Lovie defense!!!!!!!
September 13th, 2015 at 12:21 pm
If Jameis is NFL ready, he should be able to read the blitz and take advantage of the miss matches it brings. Everyone is in awe of the blitz, it leaves lots of holes and we will know very quickly how good Jameis really is…. Go Bucs, will be there wearing a #3 Winston jersey!
Bring the blitz, in Jameis we trust!!!
September 13th, 2015 at 12:23 pm
The team with the least amount of penalties will win this game. I expect flags to be flying all game long. The crowd will be booing the refs by halftime.
September 13th, 2015 at 12:23 pm
I hope you are right, Wombat, and I am wrong. We’ll probably know at the end of the first quarter. But I still fear the worst.
September 13th, 2015 at 12:29 pm
Time to brek out the no-huddle offense!
September 13th, 2015 at 12:30 pm
Everyone is sleeping on the Bucs this year, even their own fans. This QB we got is going to light it up today. The national media will be creaming in their pants tonight and all week after this game. Get ready Buc fans, it’s time to enjoy the ride agin. Go Bucs! Bucs 45 Titans 10
September 13th, 2015 at 12:30 pm
Time to break out the “no-huddle” offense
September 13th, 2015 at 1:07 pm
Great chess match between Koetter and LeBeau.
As for LeBeau I’m just glad the dude is still working at 78!!
September 13th, 2015 at 1:30 pm
I sense a doom and gloom outlook from some Bucs fans and not so Bucs fans. You would think Godzilla is coming to stomp the Bucs into the ground. It ain’t gonna happen.
September 13th, 2015 at 1:30 pm
C’mon guys!!! We have suffered long and hard through all those treacherous years. This is the time where we unleash the optimism that has kept us sane. Today, we will crush the Titans and continue the path to California.
We are #1.